Master all of the UFC 5 controls so you can dominate while striking, grappling, and more.
As players get ready to start seeking the most epic knockouts and submissions around, knowing all of the various UFC 5 controls will give you a leg up in every aspect of the fight game. There are definite similarities to previous games, but even veteran players will need a refresher and some clarification in case their go-to techniques have changed.
We'll break down all of the UFC 5 controls in this guide including striking, grappling, stand-up, clinch, and ground controls. If you're struggling this year, we've also got some tips to help you master the nuance of UFC 5.
Table of Contents
UFC 5 Controls Guide & Tips (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S)
One great thing about UFC 5 is that players have the option of choosing their own difficulty and style, and that choice is likely to impact which controls you'll have to worry about. Here are the UFC 5 game styles you can choose from:
- Competetive: Balanced option used by default for all online competetive modes
- Simulation: Real damage, real stamina, in real-time
- Knockout: Emphasizes knockout power by reducing health recovery
- Stand and Bang: Striking only with all grappling, takedowns, clinch, and submissions disabled
If you're coming here because you're frustrated with the grappling system and prefer to stick to a more pure striking experience, go with Knockout or Stand and Bang. While Knockout will still give you some grappling options, it'll lean heavily on striking and away from submissions.
If you do play a style with grappling, you'll have to decide on using the Legacy Grapple Controls, the new Grapple Assist feature, or the more balanced Hybrid option. Your controls settings can be changed at any time, but keep in mind the game styles above will be set in stone for each individual Career Mode save.
We'll get into specific UFC 5 controls below, but first it's worth explaining what Tap, Press, or Hold can mean in this context. The UFC 5 controls can be very situational, particularly as it pertains to your own distance and position compared to your opponent.
However, as a general rule, you usually want to press modifier buttons first and then face buttons either simultaneously or right after for multi-button controls. For example, you may want to hold LT and LB first before pressing X or Y to deliver a strike.
For controls that say Press and Hold, particularly those where an identical Tap or Press control is available, it's more about holding down the face button as you execute the maneuver. If you quickly Tap or Press and release, you'll get that control rather than the held option which is often a more powerful (but slower) attack.
It'll take you some time to really figure things out, but don't be afraid to check your controls and moves during a match if you're unsure of how to do something. Try some standard fights with several different fighters to test out various styles.
One of the best ways to slowly learn and improve all the UFC 5 controls is in Career Mode. Your first run through Career Mode will require a series of tutorials early on, and your further weekly Sparring options will include complex training drills each of which will help you master a different aspect of fighting.
We'll be focused on the fight controls here, but you can also check out our quick guide on how to touch gloves in UFC 5 if you want to show a bit of respect before each round gets underway.
UFC 5 Stand-Up Controls
We'll get into some of the more advanced details below, but here are the overall UFC 5 stand-up controls:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Locomotion / Movement | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
Right Punch | Press Y | Press Triangle |
Left Punch | Press X | Press Square |
Right Leg Kick | Press B | Press Circle |
Left Leg Kick | Press A | Press X |
Head Movement | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
Switch Stance | Press Right Stick | Press R3 |
Taunts | Press D-Pad Any Direction | Press D-Pad Any Direction |
Technical Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Body Modifier | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
Signature Modifier | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
High Block / Feint Strike | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Low Block / Leg Catch (Timed) | Hold RT + LT | Hold R2 + L2 |
Grapple Controls
If you're looking for a grapple (or fighting one off) from the stand-up position, here are the UFC 5 controls you'll need:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Wrestling Single Leg Takedown | Tap LT + X + A | Tap L2 + Square + X |
Wrestling Double Leg Takedown | Tap LT + Y + B | Tap L2 + Triangle + Circle |
Power Single Leg Takedown | Press & Hold LT + X + A | Press & Hold L2 + Square + X |
Power Double Leg Takedown | Press & Hold LT + Y + B | Press & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle |
Single Collar Clinch | X + A | Square + X |
Defend Takedown | Hold LT + RT | Hold L2 + R2 |
Defend Clinch | Move Right Stick Any Direction | Move Right Stick Any Direction |
Striking Controls
You'll have to check your own fighter's moves for details on their exact attacks, but these are the general UFC 5 controls for core strikes while in the stand-up position:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Hooks | Tap LB + X or LB + Y | Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle |
Uppercuts | Tap RB + X or RB + Y | Tap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle |
Overhands | Press & Hold LB + X or LB + Y | Press & Hold L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle |
Body Kicks | Tap LT + A or LT + B | Tap L2 + X or L2 + Circle |
Head Kicks | Tap LB + A or LB + B | Tap L1 + X or L1 + Circle |
Advanced Movement
Lastly from the stand-up position, there are a few controls to further augment your movement both into and out of action:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Minor Lunge | Flick Left Stick | Flick Left Stick |
Major Lunge | Hold LB + Move Left Stick | Hold L1 + Move Left Stick |
Pivot Lunge | Hold LB + Move Right Stick | Hold L1 + Move Right Stick |
Signature Evade | Hold LB + Flick Left Stick | Hold L1 + Flick Left Stick |
UFC 5 Clinch Controls
You'll have a few similarities to stand-up controls here, but these are the main UFC 5 controls you need to know while in the clinch:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Rotate / Push / Pull Opponent | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
Right Punch | Press Y | Press Triangle |
Left Punch | Press X | Press Square |
Right Knee | Press B | Press Circle |
Left Knee | Press A | Press X |
Advanced Transition Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Takedown / Submission Modifier | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
Strike Modifier | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
High Block | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Low Block | Hold RT + LT | Hold R2 + L2 |
Clinch Grapple Controls
Now let's get into the more advanced UFC 5 controls while grappling in the clinch:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Wrestling Single Leg Takedown | Tap LT + X + A | Tap L2 + Square + X |
Wrestling Double Leg Takedown | Tap LT + Y + B | Tap L2 + Triangle + Circle |
Power Single Leg Takedown | Press & Hold LT + X + A | Press & Hold L2 + Square + X |
Power Double Leg Takedown | Press & Hold LT + Y + B | Press & Hold L2 + Triangle + Circle |
Single / Double Leg Modifier | Move Left Stick to the Right, Up, or Down | Move Left Stick to the Right, Up, or Down |
Advance Position | Press RB + X or RB + Y | Press R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle |
Trip / Throw | Press RB + A or RB + B | Press R1 + X or R1 + Circle |
Submissions | Press LT + RB + X or LT + RB + Y | Press L2 + R1 + Square or L2 + R1 + Triangle |
Defend Takedown/Throw | Hold LT + RT | Hold L2 + R2 |
Defend Submission | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Single / Double Leg Defense Modifier | Move Left Stick to the Left, Up, or Down | Move Left Stick to the Left, Up, or Down |
Clinch Escape | Move Left Stick Left | Move Left Stick Left |
Clinch Striking Controls
If you're looking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Hooks | Tap LB + X or LB + Y | Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle |
Uppercuts | Tap RB + X or RB + Y | Tap R1 + Square or R1 + Triangle |
Body Knees | Tap LT + A or LT + B | Tap L2 + X or L1 + Circle |
Head Knees | Tap LB + A or LB + B | Tap L1 + X or L1 + Circle |
Elbows | Tap LB + X + A or LB + Y + B | Tap L1 + Square + X or L1 + Triangle + Circle |
UFC 5 Ground Controls
Finally, there are several UFC 5 controls you'll need while on the ground. However, exactly how these work will vary a bit based on the exact control scheme you're using.
Players using Grapple Assist will have an easier and more simplified set of controls while the Legacy Grapple Controls are more complex. You'll have a bit of an edge online if you master the Legacy Grapple Controls, but the best option for most players will be Grapple Assist or the Hybrid function that blends the two.
First, here are the general UFC 5 controls while on the ground:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Grapple Stick | Move Left Stick | Move Left Stick |
Advanced Grapple / Transition | Move Right Stick | Move Right Stick |
Right Punch | Press Y | Press Triangle |
Left Punch | Press X | Press Square |
Right Knee | Press B | Press Circle |
Left Knee | Press A | Press X |
Advanced Transition Ground and Pound Modifier | Hold LB | Hold L1 |
Body Shots Modifier | Hold LT | Hold L2 |
Ground and Pound Modifier | Hold RB | Hold R1 |
High Block | Hold RT | Hold R2 |
Low Block | Hold RT + LT | Hold R2 + L2 |
Grapple Assist & Defense Controls
Here are the UFC 5 controls you need while using Grapple Assist or trying to defend against an opponent's grapple:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Get Up | Move Left Stick Up | Move Left Stick Up |
Submission | Move Left Stick Left | Move Left Stick Left |
Ground and Pound | Move Left Stick Right | Move Left Stick Right |
Defend Transition | Hold RT + Move Right Stick or Hold RT + Move Left Stick | Hold R2 + Move Right Stick or Hold R2 + Move Left Stick |
Legacy Grapple Controls
Once again, these will only be needed if you're using the Legacy Grapple Controls scheme or appear in part while using hybrid controls in UFC 5:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Transition | Move Right Stick Any Direction | Move Right Stick Any Direction |
Submission | Hold LT + Move Right Stick Any Direction | Hold L2 + Move Right Stick Any Direction |
Additional Transitions | Hold LB + Move Right Stick Any Direction | Hold L1 + Move Right Stick Any Direction |
Ground and Pound Controls
Lastly, we have the UFC 5 controls while you're in the Ground and Pound position:
oking to throw strikes while in the clinch, here are the UFC 5 controls you need:
Action | Xbox Series X|S Controls | PS5 Controls |
Hooks | Tap LB + X or LB + Y | Tap L1 + Square or L1 + Triangle |
Body Straights | Tap LT + X or LT + Y | Tap L2 + Square or L1 + Triangle |
Body Hooks | Tap LT + LB + X or LT + LB + Y | Tap L2 + L1 + Square or L2 + L1 + Triangle |
Elbows | Tap RT + X or RT + Y | Tap R2 + Square or R2 + Triangle |
Head Movement | Move Right Stick to the Left or Right | Move Right Stick to the Left or Right |
Post Defense | Hold LB + Move Right Stick to the Left or Right | Hold L1 + Move Right Stick to the Left or Right |
That wraps up all the UFC 5 controls you'll need in each fight. If you're playing offline with a fighter you're not accustomed to, make sure to pause and check their moves to ensure you're not going for an attack they don't have access to.
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